How many of you are fans of Kool and The Gang? Just yesterday,I was listening to their 1979 'Ladies Night' album and it brought back so many memories.

What are your thoughts on this incredible R&B/funk band? Do you prefer their funkier 70s hits ("Hollywood Swinging","Jungle Boogie") or their catchy pop hits of the 80s ("Celebration","Get Down On It")?

Obviously, 4 me anyway, it's gotta b the 80's jams...that was my era. So, it was better 4 me when J.T. joined.

"Mislead"
"Ladies Night"
"Cherish"
"Celebrate"

All good stuff...but I also like the "Hollywood Swingin'" days...just not as much.

Kool & The Gang was actually COOL when they hadn't sold out for the 80s. Nothing in their 80s catalog competes with "Funky Stuff," "Who's Gonna Take The Weight," "Hollywood Swinging," "Summer Madness," "Jungle Boogie," etc. They became a less interesting pop group in the Reagan era. In terms of playing they could hold their own with any Funk band of the 70s, and if you delve deeper into their output at that time they sound eerily like JB's band. You just can't contest that stuff. Long live The Funk of the 70s.

Some of my favorite Kool and The Gang songs...


***"Ladies Night"(1979)---Gotta love this one.It's catchy as hell and the groove is ferocious.Disco at it's best!!

***"Summer Madness"(1974)---This is that haunting instrumental track that Will Smith sampled for his 1991 smash "Summertime".

***"Funky Stuff"(1973)---The title speaks for itself!

***"Open Sesame"(1976)---OH LAWD,this one is funky!! This mesmerizing jam was only a minor hit in 1976,but it received alot of attention a few years later,when it appeared on the 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack.

***"Jones Vs.Jones"(1980)---A great song about a sad topic (a couple going through a divorce).

***"Let's Go Dancin (Ooh La La La)"(1982)---a lite reggae dance floor smash!!

***"Joanna"(1982)---LOVE THIS ONE!! Nice melody,great production.

***"Misled"(1984)---This was a slight departure for them,being a rock/pop track.Great song,cool video!

***"No Show"(1981)---Beautiful album-closing ballad

***"Tonight"(1983)

***"Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)"(1981)---A smooth,Marvin Gaye-influenced song,this one is extremely infectious and catchy.

***"Got You Into My Life"(1979)---The entire 'Ladies Night' album is a classic,imo.There's only 6 songs,including this gem.It's a mellow,laid-back jam and lead singer JT Taylor has never sounded better.

Admittedly,many of their 80s hits started to sound alike after awhile and most songs pretty much covered the same topic (dancing and having a great time...lol...).But,they were consistent and gave us many fantastic songs during that period.

DavidEye said:

I really can't listen to anything after '76!

I dig there early 70's stuff to 76 easily.they were on it then.I like some of JT Taylor Era stuff but it became too Formula Driven after a while.but on the Plus side for them they truly Re-Invented themselves for a while which ain't easy for any Act that has been around as long as they have.but the 80's was about Synths,Programming,etc.. so they had to play Ball or Strike Out.

Hollywood Swinging man! That bass line..just kills me every time i hear it!

I have to agree with Pfunkjazz, the post-76 material is disco.average and a big turn-off. my favorite material is "Kool & the Gang live at P.J." (with the oustanding "Dujii") and "Live at the Sex Machine". From the later stuff I dig the live version of "Summer Madness" -- pure beauty.